Page 30

Liam

A few months later…

I paced as I waited for them to step out of the courtroom.

Just as Elena had said, Samuel had made sure to drag her out through whatever means possible the moment she filed for that divorce.

But knowing that the asshole was about to be locked away for at least ten years had given Elena the bravery to face him again.

It really was a shame that no matter how tough a punishment Chief had pushed for, Samuel only got ten measly years. Chief had grumped about it, but Seth and I had expected it. Those WEC connections weren’t for nothing.

Finally, the door opened, and Elena stepped out with Seth. He was the only one allowed in with her because he was mentioned in Samuel’s list of grievances. The asshat had tried to blame her for the alienation of his eldest son. I was pretty sure Seth opened him a new one in there.

We met Hazel, Tansy, and Eamon outside. I hated leaving Hazel on her own now that we’d determined her magic nullification was MIA.

Seth had assured us that it was temporary and that with time, Hazel would have her protective powers back.

Until then, Seth kept a protective spell around her.

I also secretly followed her and Mike around on call as extra protection.

“So that’s what I’d lost,” Hazel had exclaimed when we’d found out.

It was only when she’d explained that Griselda had told her her fortune that I realized my witchy friend had guessed who the mystery woman was even before seeing her at The Breach site. I should’ve known I wouldn’t be able to keep secrets from a witch.

And talking about secrets, Seth had admitted belatedly that The Breach had been talking to him since his second visit.

We were a little pissed that he hadn’t told us sooner, but he hadn’t heard from the bitch since.

No nightmares either. So that was good. Seth promised Hazel and I that if he ever heard that bitch again, we’d know right away.

We both had a bone to pick with her. No one messed with our Seth, not even some wizard-eating horror from another dimension.

Not trusting that Alfonzo guy, he and Sybil had placed their own monitoring spells around the building. I was sure we’d have to deal with that thing again eventually, but we’d be ready.

These past few months had also tested the belief that being with Seth meant I’d be alienated from other demons forever.

Sure, in the beginning, it might have felt like that, but not anymore.

And what a silly idea that my friends had to be of demon origin!

I’d made plenty of new friends, demons and otherwise.

And even Eamon eventually came around. Currently, he was not more than five feet from me and he hadn’t even tried to punch me yet.

But perhaps, that was for Elena’s benefit, this being her big day and all.

“So it’s all over,” Hazel said, giving Elena a hug.

“Apparently. I’m free. I’m still not sure about going out on my own, but at least I know we are no longer legally connected.”

“We should celebrate,” Tansy said. “How about brunch?”

I exchanged a look with Seth. “We have plans.”

“We can always do dinner another day,” Elena said. “I’m exhausted anyway. This was too much adventure for one day.”

“I’ll get Mom back to Desmon’s place,” Tansy said.

Just then, a familiar woman stomped toward us, dragging a young boy behind her, anger plain on her face. Samuel’s current girlfriend. Seth positioned himself defensively between the two.

“You! It’s all your fault! You and that son of yours. Sam never did marry me because of you. And now that he’s going to be doing time, you come out of nowhere and take his wealth? That was supposed to be for me and my children. You bitch!”

“Hey,” Seth said sternly, “watch your mouth.”

Elena put a calming hand on Seth’s shoulder. “It’s okay. Tell me, do you love Samuel?”

The woman gaped at her.

“Love? This isn’t about love! It’s about my life! I’m a woman with two illegitimate children; no worthy wizard will want me. Father’s going to have to marry me off to a nobody wizard with no status and no money. My life is over!”

“See,” Elena said to Seth. “She’s no different than me, forced into a life she never chose because it was all she’d known.”

“Don’t patronize me!”

“Listen, I’m not your enemy. And our sons are not rivals.

This is what I would do in your position.

Demand Samuel marry you now. Live in his mansion—he gets to keep that by the way; I didn’t demand a thing from him but my freedom—and raise your kids on his dime.

After several years of relative freedom, ask yourself if you still want to stay married.

If not, start looking for a way out so that you’ll be gone when he’s free. ”

The woman shook her head. “He’ll never let me leave,” she whispered.

Elena shrugged. “Or you can take your chances with another wizard who might turn out just as dangerous.”

During their conversation, I noticed that Seth had knelt before his half-brother, and the two were talking softly. Being a demon, I sent part of my awareness to listen to them as well.

“Mother hates you,” the kid said, “because you’re le-le-legitimas, and I’m not.”

The corner of Seth’s lips lifted at the mispronounced word.

“But me and my friends saw a video of you doing magic, and it was so cool!”

“Do you have any magic yet?”

“No.” The kid pouted. “Father says I’ll be useless if I don’t get some soon.”

“That’s not true. Father’s wrong.”

“Can you show me how to do magic?”

“Hold your hand like this,” Seth said, showing the kid the position to concentrate magic at the tips of his fingers.

Then he put his hand on top and a small flame appeared, held up by the child.

“Now concentrate and keep it lit.” Seth removed his hands.

The flame disappeared. But the kid was tenacious, and he concentrated, scrunching up his nose. The tiniest glow appeared. The kid gasped, and the light disappeared.

“Don’t overdo it. Let your magic replenish.”

Finally noticing that Seth was talking to her boy, the woman grabbed the kid’s hand. “Don’t talk to my son!” Then she walked off, her heels clacking on the marble floor.

“That was nice of you to teach him, but don’t you think a kid playing with fire is going to be dangerous?” Hazel asked. “He’s going to burn down the house.”

“Boy, do I have a story about Seth for you about that!” Elena exclaimed. “Remind me next time you come over.”

“Fire’s not the problem,” Seth said. “The real problem is that that wasn’t wizardry he just used. It was witchcraft.”

Elena burst out laughing. “Samuel is going to be livid!”

“Oh, I almost forgot!” Hazel said as we parted ways in the parking lot. “Liam and I have a present for you, Elena.” She dug into her bag and brought out the photo album. We’d gone through and removed any photos of Samuel, keeping only photos of Seth and Elena. “This is for you.”

Elena’s hands were shaking as she took the album.

“Liam and I added notes,” Hazel said. She opened the album to one of the pages we’d marked. “This one’s my favorite.”

The photo was of baby Seth in the bathtub, his hair spiked up with shampoo, very much like the style he wore often now. Even as a baby, he had a look to him that screamed he was the big boss and not to cross him.

“Where the hell did you get that?” Seth tried to grab the album, but Hazel moved it out of his reach and into Elena’s hands.

“Thank you. Thank you. I thought these photos were lost forever,” she said, her voice cracking with emotion.

“Liam and I think the photos are better off in your hands. We’re hoping a little piece of the past can help you move forward.”

Elena held the old book to her chest. “Thank you.” She dashed the tears from her face.

“And whenever you’re ready,” I said. “You should consider dating again.”

“Liam!” Seth did not like the idea of his mom dating at all. If he could, he would hide her on Desmon’s estate forever.

“It might help you regain your powers faster,” I finished.

“And I know a certain police chief who’d love to take you out,” Hazel finished.

“Absolutely not!” Seth cried.

“We’re not talking about relationships or anything like that. We’re talking about fun dates,” Hazel clarified.

“You know,” Eamon said, “that’s probably a good idea. Watch out world, Elena is back on the market.”

We took pity on Seth and split up, leaving Elena to head back to Desmon’s estate with Tansy and Eamon.

“My mom does not need to date.” Seth reiterated on our drive to the marina.

“She doesn’t, but she should,” Hazel said. “Do you really think the woman who birthed you is happy just running Desmon’s home? You’re an ambitious person. I bet she is too. She just never had the chance to follow her dreams. Here’s her opportunity.” Hazel frowned. “Where’s the Revenge ?”

Because we were at the place where the Revenge was usually docked, but another boat sat in its spot. It was dark and sleek and much nicer than the Revenge . The word Covenant was written in silver across its black hull.

Seth was practically beaming. “Surprise! I traded up.”

I gawked at the fancy yacht in front of me. This wasn’t part of the plan today. We were supposed to... wait... did that mean... “This one has a hot tub!”

“It sure does.” Seth draped his arms around me. “Months ago, you asked me for three things. You wanted Hazel. We got her. You wanted a hot tub on the yacht. The old one wouldn’t fit a hot tub, so here we are.”

“I don’t remember the third thing,” I admitted.

“You wanted a bigger home.”

“Oh, I remember now.”

Hazel had moved in with us shortly after that day.

It was easier for everyone, especially since it was so much closer to the precinct.

She didn’t take up much space, and my worries that we’d need a bigger place were unfounded.

But we’d been talking about building something on her piece of land that would be more to Seth’s liking.

Hazel and I were both basic and fancy, but Seth was an ultra-fancy bitch all the way.

“I’m pretty happy with our setup now,” I admitted. “Even if we had a bigger place, I’m sure we’d all pile into the same bed anyway.”

“You betcha!” Hazel said, grinning.

Seth brought up a bucket with two bottles of champagne. “Hazel, why don’t you do the honors?”

“I’ve never done this before,” she said, taking one of the bottles from him.

“Just break it across the hull as hard as you can. It’s bad luck if it doesn’t break. So do it hard.”

“Oh, I’ll do it hard, alright.” She swung, and the bottle hit its mark, smashing open and spilling its golden liquid everywhere.

Then we opened the second bottle, and I poured us all a glass.

We were all smiling as we boarded the Covenant . I really should’ve realized the moment I saw the name that it was Seth’s; he was so predictable. And I loved him for it.

A meal, more champagne, and a giant bouquet of daisies awaited us on the deck. It might be a new ship, but everything was in place. Alright, just like we’d practiced back on the Revenge .

We started on our way, guiding the craft to the Archway, just like that first day. Then I tucked a daisy behind Hazel’s ear and led her to her seat, even as Seth reached for the tiny velvet box behind the vase with the flowers.

Then we were both on our knees in front of her.

She knew it was coming. She just didn’t know when or how. It seemed we’d truly surprised her, though, because she was covering her mouth, trying to tame her excitement.

“Will you be ours forever?” Seth and I said together.

Her happily squealed, “Yes!” was worth waiting for.

Ours. Hazel was ours!

“I didn’t know it before, but you two are all I ever want, all I ever need to be happy.” Seth’s words rang with honesty. “Revenge and world domination pale next to the two of you.”

Aww, that was really sweet coming from Seth.

We’d just gotten the ring on her when Seth went off script. He stayed on his knees, his eyes on me. There was a second box in his hand.

“I get a ring too?”

“Of course you do, Pumpkin,” Seth said. “This was long overdue.”

Unlike the large solitaire we’d gotten for Hazel, my ring had an emerald-cut diamond set into a thick, masculine band. It glittered as I held it up to the sun. Maybe it was because I never expected it, but when I inhaled next, the breath came in shaky. And then I was crying.

Imagine! A crying demon! They better not utter a word about this.

“I think you broke him,” Hazel said, wrapping her arms around me.

“I just,” I swallowed hard. “I didn’t expect it. I’m the luckiest demon in the world.”

Several decades ago, if you’d told me I’d have everything I ever wanted, I would’ve laughed in your face. But here I was, surrounded by the people I loved, with the lake breeze in my hair. And all I had to do was put my faith in a wizard.

“I love you guys,” I sniffed.

“We love you too,” Seth said, his arms coming around us both possessively. “We love you too.”